Vietnamese Ministry of Health said that the country was free of H1N1 swine flu virus, Vietnam News reported on Tuesday.

However, there was a high risk of the virus reaching Vietnam as in the last two weeks, a number of people from virus-affected areas had arrived in the country, said Nguyen Huy Nga, head of the Medicine Prevention and Environment Department on Monday.

The virus has characteristics of avian, human and swine virus, according to World Health Organization.

Swift preventive measures were being taken against the spread of the virus in Vietnam, said the ministry.

Health agencies has started monitoring body temperatures of tourists arriving at airports.

The ministry also warned people about the need for personal hygiene such as wearing face masks, washing hands regularly with soap, practicing good health habits with adequate sleep and eating nutritious food.